Tributes at firefighter's funeral

By Jo Perry
BBC Scotland news website

The funeral of a firefighter who was killed when a fire engine hit a tree has taken place in Alloa.

John Noble, 46, was a watch commander from Alloa fire station's Blue Watch.

Mr Noble's coffin was taken to the church on a fire engine

His appliance was responding to an emergency call when the accident happened on the A91 in Clackmannanshire last week.

Mr Noble's coffin was carried from the fire station to St Mungos church on a fire engine. Dozens of firefighters lined part of the route.

Friends and colleagues gathered at the parish church to say their final farewell to Mr Noble, who had served with Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service since 1984.

Among the mourners were hundreds of firefighters from across the country who formed a guard of honour to mark the coffin's arrival at the church.

Also present were colleagues from the local mountain rescue team and personnel from the police and ambulance service.

Colleagues from Alloa fire station acted as pall-bearers and carried Mr Noble's casket from the appliance into the church.

'Small acts'

During the emotional service the Reverend Alan Downie paid tribute to the popular father-of-two's commitment to his family and work.

He was immensely proud of his career in a very private way, he always did his best to help Allan Scott Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service

The ceremony was also marked by a reading of The Final Flight by Mr Noble's niece Stephanie and eulogies from friend and colleague Allan Scott and brigade head of operations Kenny Taylor.

In his tribute to the firefighter, Mr Scott spoke of Mr Noble's enthusiasm for his job.

He talked of his specialised training as part of the urban search and rescue crew and how he had played a part in the rescue of those caught up in the Stockline factory disaster.

He added: "He was immensely proud of his career in a very private way. He always did his best to help and even when the end prognosis was not good, he tried and treated people with respect and dignity.

Mr Noble's colleagues formed a guard of honour

"I know there are many people who can raise testimony to his small acts; the numbers in this church and the books of condolence are testament to that.

"Johnny was a treasured, reliable and honest friend to me, friend and colleague to many."

At the end of his tribute, Mr Taylor added: "Take your rest John, your duty is done."

He was then joined by the 650 mourners in reciting the fireman's prayer.

The packed service was relayed to locals who had gathered outside the church to pay their respects by a public address system.

An online condolence book on Central Scotland Fire Brigade's webpage has received tributes from firefighters across the world.

Another firefighter who received serious injuries in the crash, Alan Robertson, remains in a stable condition in Glasgow's Southern General Hospital.

Investigations are still continuing into the cause of the crash, which happened last Wednesday.